By Elyssa Haven

For The Newberry Observer

Newberry resident Katie Regier said her children Chloe and Christian enjoyed using the Expression Swing together in Marion Davis Park.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_Expression-Swingpic1.jpgNewberry resident Katie Regier said her children Chloe and Christian enjoyed using the Expression Swing together in Marion Davis Park. Courtesy photos

Sisters Ashleigh and Miriam Titus try out the Expression Swing.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_Expression-Swingpic2.jpgSisters Ashleigh and Miriam Titus try out the Expression Swing. Courtesy photos

NEWBERRY – After discovering how much his 2-year old daughter Miriam enjoyed the City of Newberry’s newest addition to Marion Davis Park, Newberry resident Matthew Titus said they would be making many more visits to the park.

The Expression Swing, installed in the park on April 11, has become a hit among kids and parents alike.

A Game Time product, the company’s website states that Expression Swing is the industry’s first playground swing that promotes intergenerational play as adults and children swing together.

The swing’s face-to-face design features a toddler swing seat for children under 5 and a comfortable adult swing seat that allows a parent and child, or a grandparent and grandchild to interact with each other and to experience one another’s facial expressions while playing.

Titus said he really enjoyed the ability to swing with Miriam, as she does not normally like to swing.

“She can get pretty anxious the higher and faster the swing takes her, but it was good for her to look at me the whole time, knowing that she was safe,” Titus said. “She could enjoy the swing and the thrill even more.”

Titus said his daughter Ashleigh, 5, also enjoyed using the Expression Swing with her sister.

“The girls liked it because it was something new, different, and cool that they could do together,” Titus said.

Being one of the larger parks in the area, Titus said he thought Marion Davis was a good location for the swing. However, he said he would love to see this type of swing in several of the City’s parks.

Scott Sawyer, director of Parks, Recreation and Tourism for the City of Newberry, said the idea of a type of Expression Swing began in 1988 while he was in another area in another job position.

“I sent a letter to Strom Thurmond and the President of the United States for monies for a handicapped recreation area,” Sawyer said.

At the time, Sawyer said prioritization was different, and he received a response saying the recreation area had to include all individuals and that they could not provide funding solely for handicapped individuals.

“We weren’t able to do it,” Sawyer said. “Had there been funding back then, we would have sought to build a playground that everyone could use anyway. Now it is pretty commonplace to hear about accessible playgrounds. The idea has come up over the years, but it just hasn’t gotten any traction. It’s exciting to think we may finally be able to add some accessible play features.”

Earlier this year, Sawyer said he began searching for a handicapped accessible swing when he came across the Game Time website. While searching their products, Sawyer said he came across the Expression Swing and knew the City had to have it.

Sawyer said there are only three swings like it installed in the state – two being in Charleston, and the other in Seneca.

The swing was installed in Marion Davis Park, Sawyer said, because it is one of the more heavily trafficked parks the City has and is rented more times than any other park.

Newberry resident Katie Regier said her children Chloe, 10, and Christian, 3, recently tried out the swing and had a great time.

Instead of pushing Christian from behind and missing out on all of his expressions, Regier said they were able to sit comfortably and enjoy interacting with him without missing his smiles and excitement.

“Chloe loves to swing and the expression swing gave her the best of both worlds, the chance to swing and play with her brother at the same time,” Regier said.

Regier said it was great to have a new piece of equipment at Marion Davis Park that was geared toward younger children.

Sawyer said the Parks, Recreation and Tourism department is currently looking into securing a handicapped accessible swing and has met with some parents to find out how they can best meet their needs.